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Thank You Notes for Callbacks

Posted: Fri Aug 27, 2010 11:25 pm
by Anonymous User
I know this general topic has been discussed ad nauseam, but I've searched around and haven't really found the specific answers I've been looking for. Just had a callback early this morning and wanted to know proper protocol/etiquette.

1. Is it OK to send handwritten notes on stationery? I have decent (guy) handwriting, but most of the thank you notes I've seen were typed business letters, which seem ... cold? I'm in the city where I interviewed for the time being, so e-mail or snail mail will theoretically get there at the same time.

2. What do you all write to close out the thank you note? "I enjoyed meeting you, discussing X, Y, and Z. ... [what goes here?]" Some samples I've seen have "If you need any additional information..." but that seems ineffective for thanking each interviewer.

Sorry for yet another thank you note thread. I'd appreciate any insight you all might have.

Re: Thank You Notes for Callbacks

Posted: Fri Aug 27, 2010 11:38 pm
by pandacot
Handwritten is fine if it is readable.

I've always closed my thank you notes with something about how I look forward to learning more about the firm. Seemed to work well in my career before law school.

Re: Thank You Notes for Callbacks

Posted: Sat Aug 28, 2010 2:19 am
by Anonymous User
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Re: Thank You Notes for Callbacks

Posted: Sat Aug 28, 2010 2:24 am
by Anonymous User
Anonymous User wrote:I know this general topic has been discussed ad nauseam, but I've searched around and haven't really found the specific answers I've been looking for. Just had a callback early this morning and wanted to know proper protocol/etiquette.

1. Is it OK to send handwritten notes on stationery? I have decent (guy) handwriting, but most of the thank you notes I've seen were typed business letters, which seem ... cold? I'm in the city where I interviewed for the time being, so e-mail or snail mail will theoretically get there at the same time.

2. What do you all write to close out the thank you note? "I enjoyed meeting you, discussing X, Y, and Z. ... [what goes here?]" Some samples I've seen have "If you need any additional information..." but that seems ineffective for thanking each interviewer.

Sorry for yet another thank you note thread. I'd appreciate any insight you all might have.
i think that handwritten notes are bad for a number of reasons:
  • 1) they striver-ish and are outside of the norm.
    2) they are likely to arrive after the interviewer has submitted any kind of formal evaluation (likely negating any benefit)
    3) by sending a handwritten note you make it more difficult for the person to respond back to you.
    4) sending a handwritten note imposes and administrative cost on the firm and takes more time for the person to deal with.
as to closing out the note, a simple 'best regards' or something similar should do the trick.

Re: Thank You Notes for Callbacks

Posted: Sat Aug 28, 2010 8:25 am
by Anonymous User
You do mean thank you note after the callback interviews, right? Not just for being asked to return for a callback?

Re: Thank You Notes for Callbacks

Posted: Sat Aug 28, 2010 10:45 am
by Anonymous User
OP here -- yes, I mean thank you notes after the callback interviews, not a callback call.
i think that handwritten notes are bad for a number of reasons:
To this poster -- if not handwritten notes, then what, e-mail? Seems like snail mail is still the professional norm, but I haven't the slightest clue as of late.

Re: Thank You Notes for Callbacks

Posted: Sat Aug 28, 2010 11:56 am
by Anonymous User
Our career development office actually recommends email thank you notes, citing the need to get out a thank you quickly. But the Berkeley guide online recommends snail mail.

Re: Thank You Notes for Callbacks

Posted: Sat Aug 28, 2010 12:17 pm
by Anonymous User
Should we send thank you notes? Are most people doing it? Does it have any effect on getting an offer?

Re: Thank You Notes for Callbacks

Posted: Sat Aug 28, 2010 12:22 pm
by Anonymous User
Anonymous User wrote:You do mean thank you note after the callback interviews, right? Not just for being asked to return for a callback?
Are we supposed to write thank you notes for a callback call?

Re: Thank You Notes for Callbacks

Posted: Sat Aug 28, 2010 12:39 pm
by Anonymous User
Anonymous User wrote:Should we send thank you notes? Are most people doing it? Does it have any effect on getting an offer?
This has been discussed here already in other threads. IMO, it's a waste of time. I've only been on one callback so far, but I didn't thank anyone and got an offer. From my understanding, most interviewers submit their evals soon after you leave, so a thank you isn't going to change anything.